Timeless jeans, a trans-seasonal jacket and staple knitwear are all crucial components of a capsule wardrobe. If we could be more specific when it comes to the latter, we'd insist your knitwear item *must* be a cardigan. Offering more elegance than a jumper and more versatility than a sweater vest, a cardigan works for just about any occasion and in just about any outfit formula.
One of our favourite formulas is the failsafe cardigan and jeans combo. Whether it's an oversized cardi paired with baggy jeans for casual weekends, or a more fitted style dressed up with dark wash denim, block heel boots and jewellery suitable for the office and date night alike.
Far from tired, there's a whole host of new knitwear trends in AW25 that make this ensemble feel fresh and exciting. Below, find all the outfit inspiration you need for your next cardigan and jeans look.
Cool collars
Best brands to shop: Mango, Arket, Zara
Faux fur trims are a big winter 2025 outerwear trend, adorning everything from bomber jackets to wrap coats, so it makes sense to apply the same logic to your knitwear. Look for designs with detachable collars if you want to get the most for your money – it's essentially two cardigans for the price of one! This knit will work with pretty much every jean silhouette, but we love this street style star's maximalist take in leopard print jeans.
Reverse layering
Best brands to shop: M&S, Uniqlo, Free People
Chances are, you think of your cardigan in only one way – as a warm layer to the rest of your wardrobe. Instead, wear your cardigan buttoned up as an alternative to a shirt and throw a blazer, leather jacket or any autumn jacket trend over the top. The layered look will lend a formal feel that's perfect for taking your cardi to the office. This does work best with thinner knits, though.
Make it a twinset
Best brands to shop: Reformation, River Island, Boden
Cardigans with coordinating tops make getting ready a breeze! The look has evolved over time since Katie Holmes' iconic cardigan and matching bra moment (can you believe that was in 2019?!), but the premise stands – a knit twinset and jeans is still a winning formula.
Update your summer knitwear
Best brands to shop: Nobody's Child, ASOS, Sézane
Tie-front cardigans were hugely popular in the summer. Update yours for the new season – and get the most out of your wardrobe in the process – by layering over the top of a roll neck in a similar or neutral hue. Washed grey or black jeans will lend the look an element of formality, while blue denim keeps things feeling cool and casual.
Go long
Best brands to shop: New Look, The White Company, Hayley Menzies, Madeleine Thompson
Yet another winter coat trend we're applying to our knitwear – long hem lines as a quick way to create instant impact in an ensemble. With your maxi cardi taking centre stage, keep the rest of your look simple with a plain white tee and jeans.
Button up
Best brands to shop: & Other Stories, Omnes, Cos
If you want to make your go-to cardigan and jumper combo feel fresh without investing in new knitwear, try this simple styling hack for big results without spending a penny. Take a round-neck cardigan and button *just* the top button, leaving the rest undone to reveal your top underneath – we'd recommend opting for a plain white tee. Unfortunately, this look only works with round-neck cardigans featuring buttons the full length. V-neck cardis don't provide the same results.
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
